Abstract

Caritas U. Okafoagu and Humphrey C. Nzelibe*

Effect of acid hydrolysis of bitter kola (Garcinia kola) pulp wastes on the production of CM-cellulase and β-glucosidase using Aspergillus niger was investigated. Hydrolysis for 3 h with 2.5 M sulphuric acid yielded highest fermentable sugar. Acid hydrolysis enhanced CM-cellulase and β-glucosidase levels by 500% at 96 h and 200% at 120 h, respectively. Acid hydrolysed G. kola pulp wastes is a better substrate for the production of CM-cellulase and β-glucosidase compared with maize and rice husks.